Vehicle room and berth arrangement



Nov. 28, 1950 B. E. JONES VEHICLE ROOM AND BERTH ARRANGEMENT 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 26, 1945 Jizvezgfor:

Nov. 28, 1950 B. E. JONES 2,531,687

VEHICLE ROOM AND BERTH ARRANGEMENT Filed Oct. 26, 1945 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 28, 1950 B. E. JONES VEHICLE ROOM AND BERTH ARRANGEMENT 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 26, 1945 mN NE M Q m MQN W NN N 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 B E JONES VEHICLE ROOM AND BERTH ARRANGEMENT Nov. 28, 1950 Filed Oct. 26, 1945 Hi HHHH.

B. E. JONES VEHICLE ROOM AND BERTH ARRANGEMENT 6; Sheets-Sheet 5 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 B E JONES VEHICLE ROOM AND BERTH ARRANGEMENT J7zz e7a fiagz ff Oneal Nov. 28, 1950 Filed Oct. 26, 1945 vention. In the drawings ill represents a railway vehicle having a roof H, a floor l2, side walls I3 and I4 and a longitudinally extending partition l5 spaced from the wall M to define an aisle l6 extending lengthwise of the vehicle between a vestibule (not shown) at one end of the vehicle and the other end'thereof and communicating with a plurality of individual rooms disposed between the aisle wall i5 and the side wall [3. Transverse partitions I! and I8 extending between side wall l3 and aisle partition l5 define therewith a room having a ceiling l9 spaced downwardly from the roof I l to provide space for an air duct 20 extending longitudinally of the vehicle and connected with the room by means of branch duct 2| opening through the ceiling 19 to withdraw vitiated air from the room by means of equipment (not shown) located in an end zone of the vehicle. A ceiling 22 over the aisle I6 provides space thereabove for a duct 23 disposed outside the plane of aisle partition l5 and adapted to supply conditioned air to the room from air conditioning equipment( not shown) located in an end zone of the vehicle. A branch duct 24 leads from the main supply duct 23 and communicates with the room through ceiling l9 by means of a suitable type of register for controlling the inlet of conditioned air.

An entrance door 26 in the aisle partition 15 afiords communication with the room from the aisle [6 and a ventilator 21 in this door provides for the recirculation of air from the room through the aisle to a return air grille at that end of the vehicle containing the air conditioning equipment referred to. Awindow 28 for the room is disposed in side wall l3, and since the room is adapted to be used in intercommunicating relation with an adjoining room, the cross partition of the room ensuite with the next adjacent room. At: one side of the communicating door between the rooms in the corner of the cross partition I! and aisle partition l5 and to one side of the entrance door 26, a wardrobe 3! is provided for the accommodation of articles of wearing apparel of the occupants of the room. The wardrobe isprovided with a door 32 affording access to clothing hung therein, and a latch 33 is adapted releasably to maintain the door in closed position. A

support rail 34 (see Fig. 5) provides a convenient means of hanging wearing apparel in the wardrobe by means of the usual clothes hangers. A full length mirror 35 is mounted upon the inner side of entrance door 26 convenient to users of the wardrobe, and a mirror 4! is provided at the other side of the wardrobe on the communicating door 29.

* Immediately beneath the wardrobe proper, a tilting hopper arrangement 3'! is provided which is adapted to be moved from the operative position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2 to a tilted or folded position partially enclosed by the lower portion of the wardrobe cabinet, and which enclosure is completed by the hinged actuating door 38, which upon opening and closing automatically moves the hopper between operative and inoperative positions respectively. The door 38 is hinged at that side of'the hopper mechanism adjacent the aisle partition [5 so that when in operative position the hopper 3! is readily accessible from the opposite or room side. When the door 38 is open, it occupies such a position substantially parallel to the plane of the aisle partition I1 is provided with a door 29 to permit of the use prevent its being opened when the hopper 31 is disposed in operative position. The handle 39 on the actuating door 38 is disposed below the level of the mirror 36 on the entrance door so that it cannot possibly come in contact with the mirror should the entrance door be tried while the door 38 is open.

At the other side of the communicating door 29, a fixed washbasin s2 is disposed in the corner of the side wall is and cross partition I! at one side of the window 28. The washbasin is rigidly mounted in operative position and normally is concealed by a hinged cover 43 which in its lowered position fits about the faucet assembly 44 covering the actuating handles to render them inoperative in this position of the cover, and when the cover is raised, the faucet assembly, including the handles, is fully exposed for normal operation. The under side of the cover 43 is of metal to match that of the basin, and the upper surface is finished to match splash shields l5 and i! on the side wall and cross partition immediately adjacent to the washbasin. The cover is hinged at 48 to swing to a vertical position against the side wall where it is releasably maintained by spring pressed catch 69 mounted upon the cross partition in position to engage the cover as it is moved to open position. A removable cover plate 5| on the side finish beneath the basin permits access to the drain mechanism for service and maintenance operations. A hinged door 52 affords access to a clean towel compartment convenient to the basin. Above the basin a mirror 53 is disposed at a convenient angle for use diagonally across the corner between side wall 23 and partition 11. A lower horizontal lighting fixture 54 and an upper fixture 56 having downwardly directed twin lenses provide illumination for users of the mirror. In this same corner of the room, above the level of the mirror, an overhead L-shaped luggage rack 5? is supported from the side wall l3 and cross partition I! b means of brackets 58 and 59 respectively, for the accommodation of articles placed thereon by the occupants of the room.

Beneath the window 28, throughout the extent of side wall [3 within the room, the side finish or wainscoting 6!, as best shown in Figs. 3 and 4, is spaced a substantial distance inwardly from the side wall structure to provide for a heating system. The wainscoting is spaced from the floor as at 52 to provide an opening for the passage of air. The space between the wainscoting and side wall structure i3 is closed at the window sill position by a capping 53 disposed on a level with the surface of cover 33 overlying the washbasin and extending throughout the window area and beyond, as shown in Fig. 4. A sloping plate 54 (see Fig. 3) separates the space behind the wainscoting into an upper chamber 86 and a passage 61 having a restricted outlet opening 68 in the immediate vicinity of window 28. The plate is is disposed at an angle such as to provide a passage having a "67 which acts somewhat as a chimney, creating a positive circulation of air through the opening 62, over the heating pipes 69, through the pasbeing conscious of the cold air normally ema- *nating from a. window of thesize of that shown. The sloping plate 64 is provided with a series o'f horizontally aligned openings 'H and anasso- '"jciated 'louvered shutter member l2 slidably mounted in guides 73 provides a means of adiustlng the openings to control the amount of heated air passing into the chamber 66 through the "openings, This adjustment is made initially at the tirrie of installation inaccordance with re- 'quirements necessaryto the proper heatin ofthe room and it is not necessary for the adjustment to be disturbed in the normal useof the arrangemer t thereafter. Admission of h'eatedair from the passage 67 into the chamber 66 serves to 'heatthe wainscoting 6|, which acts as a radiant heating panel to maintain the temperature of the room at a normal comfortable level without Hfafts.

The room is designed for accommodation of two passengers, with provision for individual sleeping accommodations, and adapted to provide comfortable daytime seating arrangements fqrboth persons. Thesefacilities "comprise a convertible sofa T6 and a foldable berth "Tl disposed adjacent the cross partition 18 at the'other side of window 28 andentrance door 26 from thetoilet facilities hereinbefore described. The sofa includes a seat portion 18 extending subst'antially fulllength of the room from the'aisle partition 5 to the side finish BI and whichis supported at this latter position on "an angle inember 19 secured to the side finish' and at the aisle partition on a structure including shoe box 8] having hinged access doors 82 and"33"opningQrespectively, inside the room and fromtl'ie aisle. Thehackrest 84 for the sofa is convertible from the upright daytime position illustrated in Fig. 5 to the inverted horizontal"nighttime positionillustrated in Fig. 6. The backrestis pivotally mounted for movement between these two positions and includes a frame 86 upon which thebackrest cushion 85 is mounted. This frame 184 is provided with trunnion members 8'! mounted upon respectively opposite ends of the frame and adapted pivotally to support the backrest in r trunnion brackets 88 mountedrespectively upon the side finish Bi and aisle partition 15. The *backrest is pivotally supported in thesebrack'ets Bil for folding movements between day and night- "time operative positions. In the "daytime the hakrestis locked in uprightpositioniby retratible latches actuated by an operating handle 89, and at night when the backrest is converted for sleeping purposes, it is supported in its horizontal in'ver ted position on brackets 9| inouritedrepectively upon the side finish BI and arse-par- 'tition. The frame is adapted to supporfia mattress and bedding byrneans of a flexiblebase i he backrest; the'beddingis prevented fromfescapingfrom the frarhetiifi meansofa hinged panelfli! pivotally mounted pnlthe' lowermost sidej rail of thej f raiiie lhaving rollers 56 on the 'free'edge thereof :to ride up the cross'partition lfiastheba voted to horizontal position. best and 6 th e'panel prevents t U ing etweenlthe bed and the artition the nighttime'positionbf the backrest as resis -i5 iii! thei a i m t l ustr te e'F sl'eatcushion 18 and the backrestcushiontl re both shaped to providethe most comfortable co'ntours for iseating piirposesandjthe backrestis jdisposed flush with "adjoining wall surface which is contoured to "match that oi the backrest (see Figs. 2, 3 and4). Lighting fiitiiresSB are disposed at respectively opposite ends of the sofa 'ifi and mounted upon theside wall (3 and aisle partition I5 in positions to provide readinglights for persons seated on the sofa or reclining on the bed whenthe backrest is converted for the purpose, and including nightlighting features far bedtime use. A fixtilre 95 located on the aisle partition [5 provides general illumination for the room. An ashtray 99 retractiblymounted inthfe side finish 6i is conveniently located to the use of such persons, and table brackets lill are "adapted toreceive a removable table which may belinserted for the convenience of seated passengers.

As will be observedfrom the drawingsQparticularlyFigs. 2, 5 and 6, the length of. the room (its dimension in the direction of the lengthof the car) is approximately twice the width of the sofa 1 6, or is twice as'great as the distance between the partition [8 and the front edge of the sofa. Thus the room includes a standing space, between the f ront edge ofthe sofa and the partition IT approximately as long as the sofa is wide. To make aroomfo f such comparatively small proportions efiectivelyspacious enough for comfortable occupancy'by two persons is'of course one of the principal objects of the presentinvention, and this object has been attained by the novel relative arrangement :of the several fixtures and facilities which constitutes an im- 'portant feature'of the invention.

The foldable berthllwhen' in its-closed position is disposed in a verticalplaneflush-with adjoining wall surfaces i8? on the partition i8 and substantially flush with the general plane "of the surface of the sofa backrest "8 i sothat the ut- "most spaciou'sness is provided in the room and 'fthe general air ofroominessisenhanced by the greater headroom thus afiorded, while the jundesirability I of an upper I berth projecting over the sofa inthedaytime positions thereof is avoided and the hazardof' an overhanging berth over itheheads of persons seated'on the sofa thereby eliminated. In operativefsleeping position the berth is disposed horizontal, in parallel overlying relationship with the converted sofa bed, as best shown in Fig.4. The berth is received flush withma recess I03 whenin closed position and Edinprises a bunk lil ihaving'trunnions 18$ at re "spectively opposite ends adapted to "be mounted in trunnion brackets IQ! inthe end walls of the recess 33 for the pivotalsupport of the bunk during folding movements between open. and

closed positions. The bunk is provided-withf'a flexible base I 08 for resiliently supporting a mattress 169. A bottom guard member I Hi; mounted upon. the partition lil and shaped to provide a curvature conforming to thearcdescribed by-the lower edge of the bunk in its movements'between open and olosedpositions, is disposedfat the lower extremity of the recess I93 in' positibn to close the space between the bunk;- and partition IB and thereby prevent the escape ofbedding in 'eitherjposition of' the 'berth.

Iniclosed position; thefbunk lil i is lok "by the: usuallatch rods (not showinactuated from jthek way-t H b; means of a porters berthkey, but "in theopen" hear-Omarpendan -tilestates supported by novel means which act as safety devices to prevent undesired closing of the bunk under influence of counterbalancing mechanism provided to aid in the operation of the berth. As best shown in Figs. 4 and 6, these means comprise strut members i2 pivotally mounted in the bunk at respectively opposite ends on the inner face of the front side wall for movement in a vertical plane, when the bunk is open, from retracted positions in the bunk to operative positions at upward inclinations toward the side wall !3 and aisle partition 15. These members support the free edge of the bunk for sleeping purposes and at the same time prevent it from rising, so that the berth is securely locked in horizontal position. The strut members are each provided with a head portion adapted to be entered into slotted brackets I it on the side wall and aisle partition where they are securely locked by means of pivotally mounted latch members lit adapted to be swung to positions overlying the respective head portions and efiectively preventing unintentional withdrawal of the strut members. The head portions are each constructed to provide a part interlocking with the respective slotted brackets for supporting the berth and a shoul dered portion cooperating with the latch lit to ensure the retention of the strut members in fully interlocked engagement with the brackets to prevent upward movement of the berth. When the latches il iare released, the strut members may be swung to inoperative positions in the berth, lying between the mattress H59 and the front rail of the bunk, whereupon the berth may be moved to closed position in the recess I113.

The berth m4 is fully counterbalanced for ease of operation, and the counterbalancing mechanism is fully concealed and disposed entirely outside the area of the berth whereby to preserve the smooth arrangement of the berth flush with the adjoining wall areas and enabling the use of a full length bed without interference from berth supporting rods or chains disposed between the mattress I89 and the end wall of the bunk within the area of the berth. The counterbalancing arrangement includes torsional spring mechanisms I I5 mounted at respectively opposite ends of the berth recess Hi3 and fully enclosed in the spaces behind wall areas sea outside of the end walls of the bunk and operatively connected with the bunk through the medium of flexible chains H5 extending from the perimeter of the torsional springs through openings ill in the walls I32. The flexible chains are not fastened directly to the bunk proper, but are pivotally connected to extension plate members H8 secured to the face of the bunk lfi l and projecting beyond respectively opposite ends thereof at a point removed from the trnnnions it about which the bunk pivots and adapted to align with and completely close the openings H! in wall areas I02 whereb to conceal the counterbalancing mechanism and the connections thereto. The extension plates H3, if desired, ma be disposed fiush with the surface of the bunk H34 and received flush with the surfaces of walls I92 in closed position. The plates are rigid with the bunk and enable the disposition of the counterbalancing devices entirely outside the area of the bunk. In the open sleeping position of the berth 1M, berth safety guards lZEi are provided which are fixedly secured at their lower ends in the bunk and extend upwardly therefrom to the celling, where they are releasably secured to rigidly mounted catch members H9 which support the 3 guard members in positions at the outer side of the berth to prevent an occupant of the berth from rolling beyond the edge thereof. The guards are spaced apart at the center of the berth to permit access thereto.

From the foregoing it will be seen that there has been provided a room having a convertible sol'a disposed along one wall, with a berth thereabove adapted for disposition in parallel overlying relationship with the converted sofa or foldable to a vertical position flush with adjoining wall areas and with the backrest portion of the sofa in its normal position, and having toilet facilities for the room arranged at the opposite wall and including a fixed concealed washbasin and an enclosed folding hopper disposed respectively at opposite sides of a communicating door for convenient use of either separately, without interference or restriction imposed by the other, and having a diagonall arranged mirror disposed in the corner above the washbasin and a wardrobe in the corner above the folded hopper, with an entrance door to the room between the sofa and the toilet facilities opening through one of the other walls and having a window in the wall opposite the entrance door alongside the sofa and the Washbasin.

What is claimed is- 1. In a vehicle having side walls and a partition spaced from one of the side walls defining a longitudinal side aisle, spaced parallel cross partitions extending from the aisle partition to the other side wall defining a room, an entrance door to the room located in the aisle partition, a sofa in the room at one side of the entrance door adjacent one of said cross partitions having a backrest convertible to a bed, a ioldable berth above the sofa disposed flush with adjoining wall areas and movable to a position in parallel overlying relationship with said bed, a window in the side wall of the room, a hopper and a washbasin at the other side of the entrance door and window respectively from said sofa adjacent to the other cross partition, standing space between said sofa and said hopper and washbasin, said last-named partition having a communicating door therein, said basin and hopper being disposed at opposite sides of the communicating door adjacent to the side wall and the aisle partition respectively, and a wardrobe in the corner of the room with said hopper and disposed above the level of the hopper, said room being of a width defined substantially by the length of said sofa and of a length substantially equal to twice the width of the sofa.

2. In a vehicle having side walls and a partition spaced from one of the side walls defining a longitudinal side aisle, spaced parallel cross partitions extending from the aisle partition to the other side wall defining a room, an entrance door to the room located in the aisle partition, a convertible sofa in the room at one side of the entrance door adjacent one of said cross partitions, a window in the side wall of the room, a hopper and a washbasin at the other side of the entrance door and window respectively from said sofa adjacent to the other cross partition, standing space between said sofa and said hopper and washbasin, said last-named partition having a communicating door therein, said basin and hopper being disposed at opposite sides of the communicating door adjacent to the side wall and the aisle partition respectively, and a wardrobe in the corner of the room with said hopper and disposed above the level of the hopper, said room being of a width defined substantially by the length ofsaid sofa and f a length substantially equal to twice the width of the sofa.

vehicle having sidewalls and a partitign spa'e d from one of the dewallsdefihing a l'ongit dinal side aisle, spac 1 parallel cross partitionsrextending from isle partition to jt he, other side wall defining aroom, an entrance door to the room located in the aisle partition, a convertible sofa inthe room at one side of the entrance door adjacent one of said cross, partitions a, window in the sidewall of the room, a

hopper and a washbasin at the other side of the entrance door and window respectively from said sofa adjacent to the other cross partition, and standing space between said sofa and said hopper and washbasin, said last-named partition having a communicating door therein, and said basin and hopper being disposed at opposite sides of the communicating door adjacent to the side wall and the aisle partition respectively, said room being of a width defined substantially by the length of said sofa and of a length substantially equal to twice the width of the sofa.

4. In a vehicle having side walls and a partition spaced from one of the side walls defining a longitudinal side aisle, spaced parallel cross partitions extending from the aisle partition tothe other side Wall defining a room, an entrance door to the room located in the aisle partition, a sofa in the room at one side of the entrance door adjacent one of said cross partitions having a backrest convertible to a bed, a foldable berth above the sofa disposed flush with adjoining wall areas and movable to a position in parallel overlying relationship with said bed, a window in the side wall of the room, a hopper and a washbasin at the other side of the entrance door and window respectively from said sofa adjacent to the other cross partition, and standing space between said sofa and said hopper and washbasin, said lastnamed partition having a communicating door therein, and said basin and hopper being disposed at opposite sides of the communicating door adjacent to the side wall and the aisle partition respectively, said room being of a width defined substantially by the length of said sofa and of a length substantially equal to twice the width of the sofa.

5. In a vehicle having side walls and a partition spaced from one of the side walls defining a longitudinal side aisle, spaced parallel cross partitions extending from the aisle partition to the other side wall defining a room, an entrance door to the room located in the aisle partition, a sofa in the room at one side of the entrance door adjacent one of said cross partitions havin a backrest convertible to a bed, a foldable berth above the sofa disposed flush with adjoining wall areas and movable to a position in parallel overlying relationship with said bed, a window in the side wall of the room, a hopper and a washbasin at the other side of the entrance door and window respectively from said sofa adjacent to the other cross partition, and standing space between said sofa and said hopper and washbasin, said basin and said hopper being disposed at opposite sides of the room adjacent the side wall and the aisle partition respectively whereby such facilities are entirely separate and independent of each other, said room being of a width defined substantially by the length of said sofa and of a length substantially equal to twice the width of the sofa.

6. In a vehicle having side walls and a partition spaced from one of the side walls defining a longitudinal side aisle, spaced parallel cross par- 1 titionsest a ie irom tb a le nar ipn Q swel defin n arq n n re-nee dee teih l eom oc ted th isl par n a a e ills q m a one ide of the n r c cr ed: jacent one of said cross partitions, a window in theside wall of the room at the side of the sofa, a hopper and a washbasin at the other side of the entrance door and window respectively from said sofa adjacent some other tress "partition, and standingspacebetween said sofa and said hopper and washbasin, said basin andsaid hopperbeing disposed at opposite sides of the room adjacent the side wall and the aisle partition respectively whereby such facilities are entirely separate and independent of each other, said room being of a width defined substantially by the length of said sofa and of a length substantially equal to twice the width of the sofa.

7. In a vehicle having side walls and a partition spaced from one of the side walls to define a longitudinal side aisle, spaced parallel cross partitions extendin from the aisle partition to the other side wall defining a room, an entrance door to the room located in the aisle partition, a sofa in the room at one side of the entrance door adjacent one of said cross partitions having a backrest convertible to a bed, a foldable berth above the sofa disposed flush with adjoining wall areas and movable to a position in parallel overlying relationship with said bed, a hopper and a washbasin at the other side of the entrance door from said sofa adjacent to the other cross partltion, and standing space between said sofa and said hopper and washbasin, said basin and said hopper being disposed at opposite sides of the room adjacent the side wall and the aisle partition respectively whereby such facilities are entirely separate and independent of each other, said room being of a width defined substantially by the length of said sofa and of a length substantially equal to twice the width of the sofa.

8. In a vehicle having side walls and a partition spaced from one of the side walls to define a longitudinal side aisle, spaced parallel cross partitions extending from the aisle partition to the other side wall defining a room, a sofa in the room at one side adjacent to one of said cross partitions and having a backrest convertible to a bed, a foldable berth above the sofa disposed flush with adjoining wall areas and movable to a position in parallel overlying realtionship with said bed, a hopper and a washbasin at the other side of the room from said sofa adjacent to the other cross partition, and standing space between said sofa and said hopper and washbasin, said basin and said hopper being disposed at opposite sides of the room adjacent the side wall and aisle partition respectively whereby such facilities are entirely separate and independent of each other, said room being of a width defined substantially by the length of said sofa and of a length substantially equal to twice the width of the sofa.

9. In a vehicle having side walls and a partition spaced from one of the side walls to define a longitudinal side aisle, spaced parallel cross partitions extending from the aisle partition to the other side wall defining a room, a sofa in the room at one side adjacent to one of said cross partitions, a hopper and a washbasin at the other side of the room from said sofa adjacent to the other cross partition, and standing space between said sofa and said hopper and washbasin, said basin and said hopper being disposed at opposite sides of the room adjacent the side wall and aisle partition respectively whereby such facilities are "entirely separate and independent of each other,

12 UNITED STATES PATENTS said room being of a. width defined substantially Number Name Date by the length of said sofa and of a len th ub- 1 767 361 Hautot June 24 1930 stantially equal to twice the width of the sofa. 2:299:343 Patton Oct 1942 5 2,309,665 Parke Feb. 2, 1943 BASIL JONES- 2,312,347 Parke Mar. 2, 1943 2,316,710 Parke Apr. 13, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Germany June 4, 1927 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the m Number file of this patent: 445,157 

